Nausetil Tablet - Drug info, indications, side effects, dosage, FAQ

Indications and contraindications Nausetil Tablet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Nausetil. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor or pharmacist has weighed the risks of you taking Nausetil against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

Nausetil contains the active ingredient prochlorperazine maleate and is used to treat nausea associated with migraine (severe headache).

Nausetil belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines, which help to correct chemical imbalances in the brain allowing it to function correctly. These chemicals may also affect the parts of the brain which control nausea.

There is no evidence that it is addictive.

Special precautions Nausetil Tablet

When you must not take it

Do not take Nausetil if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:

prochlorperazine maleate

the group of medicines called phenothiazines

any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, skin rash, itching or hives.

Do not take Nausetil if you have any of the following medical conditions:

shock

disease of the blood with a low number of blood cells

jaundice, yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.

Nausetil must not be given to anyone who is unconscious or in a coma.

Do not take any medicines that cause drowsiness while you are taking Nausetil.

Do not give Nausetil to children under the age of two (2) years or under 10 kg in weight.

Do not take it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.

Do not take it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether you should start taking Nausetil.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Like most phenothiazine medicines, Nausetil is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If there is a need to take this medicine during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of taking it.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not recommended to take Nausetil while breastfeeding as it is not known whether it passes into breast milk.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

phaechromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal glands which sit near the kidneys

myasthenia gravis, a disease of the muscles causing drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty in speaking and swallowing and sometimes muscle weakness in the arms or legs

kidney problems

heart and blood vessel problems, low blood pressure, blood clots

liver disease

prostate problems

epilepsy, seizures or fits

low blood calcium levels

an underactive thyroid gland

glaucoma, a condition in which there is usually a build-up of fluid in the eye

neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a reaction to some medicines with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions

a reaction to some medicines with uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements of the arms and legs

dementia (especially in the elderly)

high blood sugar levels.

Tell your doctor if you are about to have any surgery which requires a general anaesthetic.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Nausetil.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may be affected by Nausetil or may affect how well it works. You may need to take different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list of medicines to avoid while taking Nausetil. These include:

some medicines used to control depression or mood swings

alcohol

desferrioxamine, a drug used in iron overdose

procarbazine, an anticancer drug

some medicines used to control epilepsy

medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease

anticholinergic medicines which are used to relieve stomach cramps, spasms and travel sickness

atropine, a medicine which may be used in some eye drops or cough and cold preparations

medicines that prevent blood clotting

medicines used to treat high blood pressure and fluid build-up in your body

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

How much to take

Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how much Nausetil you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

For adults, the usual recommended dose is 1 or 2 tablets two to three times daily. For acute treatment, 4 tablets at once, followed if necessary by 2 tablets two hours later, may be taken.

Children (over the age of two (2) years or over 10 kg), the elderly or patients who have a pre-existing liver condition may need to take fewer tablets.

How to take it

Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.

Do not chew the tablet.

When to take it

It does not matter if you take Nausetil before or after food.

If you take too much (overdose)

Do not try to vomit.

Immediately telephone your doctor or pharmacist or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Nausetil. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

coma

restlessness, shaking, muscle twitching, muscle weakness, spasm

confusion

excitement or agitation

low blood pressure

fast heart beat

decrease in body temperature

small pupils in the eye

difficulty in swallowing or breathing

blue skin.

Things you must do

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any uncontrolled movements of the tongue, face, mouth or jaw, such as puffing of the cheeks, puckering of the mouth or chewing movements.

These are symptoms of a very rare condition called tardive dyskinesia, which may develop in people taking phenothiazine medicines, including Nausetil.

The condition is more likely to occur during long term treatment, especially in elderly women. In very rare cases, this may be permanent.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Nausetil.

If you are about to be started on any new medicines, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Nausetil.

If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you become pregnant while taking Nausetil.

Things you must not do

Do not give Nausetil to children under the age of two (2) years or under 10 kg in weight.

Do not give Nausetil to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not take it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Nausetil affects you.

As with other medicines, Nausetil may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness and drowsiness in some people, especially in the first few days of treatment.

If Nausetil makes you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Nausetil.

If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.

Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest you avoid alcohol while you are being treated with Nausetil.

If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use at least a 15+ sunscreen.

Nausetil may cause your skin to be much more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn.